at!" exclaimed the trapper, stopping as if shot. "Do you mean that
handsome young warrior who went through the country below us last
summer with a Blackfoot redskin and two younkers?"

"The same. We are the boys that were with him."

"Wal, I'll be skulped!" added the other, as if he could not do justice
to his feelings. "I never dreamed of anything like _that_."

"Like what?" asked George.

"Seeing that Shawanoe agin. Say, he's a great one, ain't he?"

"You know him, then?"

"Wal, I reckon. He done me the greatest favor of my life--greater than
what I done that chap of yourn a little while ago."

"I don't see how that can be," remarked the limping Victor; "but
Deerfoot is always doing good to others."

"Didn't he ever tell you anything about me?"

"You haven't told us your name."

"I'm Jack Halloway."

The boys agreed that they had never heard the Shawanoe mention him by
name. Victor added:

"He is the last one to speak of his good deeds, and he doesn't like to
hear anyone else speak of them."

"He'll hear some one talk when I see him," chuckled the trapper, with a
shaking of his herculean shoulders.

Because of Victor's hurts the descent among the foothills to camp took
a long time, and the afternoon was well gone when the three reached
headquarters. While a little way off the three caught sight of the
Shawanoe, who had started a fire and was broiling buffalo steak for
supper. He looked with surprise at the sight of Victor leaning on the
shoulder of his brother and walking with difficulty, and at the
towering form behind them. Ceasing his work, he came forward to greet
the party. He paid no attention to the man until George Shelton told of
the mishap in which the life of Victor was saved by the person behind
them.

During this brief interchange the trapper kept in the background, with
his eyes on the Shawanoe. Needless to say, Deerfoot had recognized him
at the first glance. Not suspecting this, the man now came forward, the
moving of the beard about his mouth showing that he was grinning and
chuckling.

"I reckon you don't remember me, Deerfoot."

"Deerfoot could never forget his brother, Jack Halloway," replied the
youth, extending his hand, which was warmly grasped by the trapper.

"I'm powerful glad to meet you agin, Shawanoe, though I hadn't much
hope of ever doing so. Talk about friends, you beat 'em all, and I'll
be skulped if you don't look handsomer than ever--no you don't, for
that cou